Chelsea see €55m transfer bid for Kounde rejected as Sevilla hold out for €65m

The Spanish outfit expect the Blues to return with an improved offer for the defender, who is also being linked with Barcelona

GOAL can confirm that Chelsea have seen a €55 million (£47m/$56m) transfer bid for Jules Kounde rejected, with Sevilla holding out for €65m (£55m/$66m) for a prized asset. The Liga giants are open to a sale this summer, but are reluctant to accept any offer that falls below their asking price.

They are aware that Premier League suitors are far from being the only side in the running, with rival interest from outside of Stamford Bridge ensuring that those in Andalusia continue to hold a strong hand at any bargaining table.

Will Chelsea sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla?

The France international defender finds himself at the centre of another long-running transfer saga having spent several windows now dominating gossip columns.

Chelsea have been admirers for a while and the highly-rated 23-year-old is eager to take on a new challenge, with a desire to experience a change of scenery having been expressed to current employers.

An approach from west London has been made, but an opening bid that includes a number of potential add-ons has been knocked back.

Negotiations are, however, at an early stage and the expectation is that Chelsea will soon return with an improved offer.